Phosphate Optical Glass with Sulfate Stabilization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Phosphate glasses used in optical applications have low weather resistance and poor mass productivity due to P2O5 evaporation during melting, leading to unstable vitrification and tarnish or erosion issues.
Innovation Solution
A phosphate optical glass composition with 5-40% P2O5, 35% SO3, 10-30% R′2O, 20-50% RO, and 0.001-15% CuO+Fe2O3+CoO+CeO2, which stabilizes vitrification, enhances weather resistance, and provides desired optical properties by absorbing light in specific wavelength ranges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If P2O5 content is increased to improve optical properties, then visible transmittance and near-infrared absorption are improved, but P2O5 evaporates during melting causing poor homogeneity and low mass productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by introducing SO3 (20-40% by mole) and metal oxides (CuO, Fe2O3, CoO, CeO2) to modify the glass network structure. This allows maintaining high P2O5 content (5-30% by mole) for optimal optical properties while preventing P2O5 evaporation through the stabilizing effect of SO3 and metal oxides during melting, thus achieving both high visible transmittance and good mass productivity
Solution Approach 2:
SO3 acts as an intermediary substance that mediates between P2O5 and the glass matrix. It forms stable sulfate groups (SO4^2-) in the glass network that anchor P2O5 units, preventing their evaporation during melting while preserving the optical benefits of high P2O5 content. The metal oxides serve as additional intermediaries that stabilize the glass structure
2Illumination intensity
If P2O5 content is increased to improve optical properties, then refractive index and absorption characteristics are improved, but weather resistance deteriorates due to surface tarnish and erosion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite glass system combining phosphate groups (P2O5) with sulfate groups (SO3) and metal oxide networks (CuO, Fe2O3, CoO, CeO2). This composite structure allows the phosphate component to provide high refractive index and optical absorption properties, while the sulfate and metal oxide components form a protective glass matrix that resists surface tarnish and erosion, thereby improving weather resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating specific functional components in specific regions of the glass network. P2O5 units are distributed to provide optical properties, while SO3 and metal oxides are positioned to form stabilizing networks and protective surfaces. This spatial arrangement within the glass structure allows different regions to fulfill different functions: optical performance versus weather resistance
3Reliability
If CuO, Fe2O3, CoO, and CeO2 are added to stabilize vitrification, then weather resistance is improved, but vitrification becomes unstable without SO3
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the stabilizing effects of multiple components: SO3 (20-40% by mole) combines with metal oxides (CuO, Fe2O3, CoO, CeO2 at 0.001-15% by mole each) to create a synergistic system. SO3 provides primary vitrification stabilization through sulfate group formation, while the metal oxides enhance this effect and provide additional weather resistance. The combination creates a mutually reinforcing system where each component amplifies the stability provided by the others
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The glass composition achieves excellent weather resistance, high mass productivity, and desired optical properties, including improved light absorption characteristics without requiring additional oxidizing agents, making it suitable for long-term use in digital cameras and other electronic devices.
Implementation Method 1
a phosphate optical glass containing SO3 and a predetermined amount of one or more of CuO, Fe2O3, CoO, and CeO2 can achieve desired optical properties and concurrently improve weather resistance and provide glass stability during melting
Implementation Method 2
CuO, Fe2O3, CoO, and CeO2 have properties of absorbing light in their respective predetermined wavelength ranges
Implementation Method 3
The aforementioned phosphate glasses have low weather resistance, i.e., are likely to cause tarnish or weathering-induced erosion on their surfaces during long-term use
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an optical glass having desired optical properties, excellent weather resistance, and high mass productivity. An optical glass having a glass composition, in % by mole based on oxide, of 5 to 40% P2O5, 1 to 35% SO3, 10 to 30% R′2O (where R′ is Li, Na or K), 20 to 50% RO (where R is Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba or Zn), and 0.001 to 15% CuO+Fe2O3+CoO+CeO2.